Lighter

ABSTRACT

In a lighter apparatus operable with a fuel controlled by a fuel valve actuated by means of an operating mechanism, a magnetic circuit for supplying energizing sparks to the fuel, the magnetic circuit comprising a substantially U-shaped yoke member, an armature member shunting the yoke member and supported in magnetic circuit relationship therewith, a torsion bar fixedly coupled to the armature member and connecting same to the common operating mechanism, the torsion bar being coupled to the armature member at a side portion thereof permitting rotation of the armature member away from the yoke member about an axis passing outside of the armature member, when the common operating mechanism is actuated. In another embodiment of the present invention the torsion bar is not fixed to the armature member but engages same with a leverlike or cam-shaped end portion and moves it against a backing member attached to the yoke member.

United States Patent lnventor Claus Chrktlan Cobarg v Steinbnch, Germany [21 Appl. No. 872,304 [22] I-iled Oct. 29, 1969. [45] Patented Aug. 3 1, 1971 [73] Assignee Braun Aktiengesellscbaft Frankfurt/Main, Germany [32] Priority Nov. 21,1968 [33] Luxembourg [3] 1 57,355

[ 54] LIGHTER 10 Claims, 4 Drawing Figs. [52] US. Cl 431/256, 317/93 [5 l 1 Int. Cl. F23q 2/28 [50] Field of Search 431/254, 256, 257; 317/81, 93

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,424,950 1/1969 Halm 317/81 X 3,444,435 5/1969" Halm ..i'. 3,458,765 7/1969 Schindler,

Primary Examiner-Edward G. Favors Attorney-Ernest F. Marmorek trolled by afuel valve actuated by means of an operating mechanism, a magnetic circuit for supplying energizing sparks to the fuel, the magnetic circuit comprising a substantially U- shaped yoke member, an armature member shunting the yoke member and supported in magnetic circuit relationship therewith, a torsion bar fixedly coupled to the armature member and connecting same to the common operating mechanism, the torsion bar being coupled to the armature member at a side portion thereof permitting rotation of the armature member away from the yoke member about an axis passing outside of the armature member, when the common operating mechanism is actuated. In another embodiment of the present invention the torsion bar is not fixed to the armature member but engages same with a leverlike or cam-shaped end portion and moves it against a backing member attached to the yoke member. 1

ziotman T FIELD OF, THE INVENTION j The present invention relates to a lighter and more particularly to the means actuating the magnetic circuit of a pocket size lighter where economy-of space is of prime importance.

' BACKGROUND OF THE- INVENTION The present application is an improvement over the copending application of G. Steuemagel et al. filed Sept; 16,

DESCRIPTION or THE. PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS I Withreference to. :1 and, 2 itis seen that the make- 1969 under Ser. No. 858456 andassig'ned to the same assigneeas the present application and entitled Lighter.

The above-mentioned:copending application is concerned with a' lighter in which a common. operating mechanism actuates a fuel valve and the magnetic ignition system and in which a time delay of the ignition time with respect to the opening of the fuel valve isattained by means of a torsion rod acting as a force translating member between the operating mechanism and the ignition system.

Reference is furthermore had to the copending application Ser. No. 843,047, filed on July'l8, 1969 by G. Steuemagel et al. and assigned to the assignee of the instant application.

In pocket size cigarette lighters it is of prime importance that the force translation from the operating-mechanism to fuel valve and ignition system take upthe smallest possible space. v

If a make-and-break type magnetic ignition device is used in which the armaturetilts' perpendicularly away from the yoke,

then this system suffers from the. disadvantage that the lever serving to tilt the armature should be connected directly to the armature and also that "perpendicular tilting movement requires additional space.-

' SUMMARY: OF ,THEIN'V-ENTION It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide a simple force translating arrangement between. the .operating mechanism, fuel valve and especially between the magnetic ignition system which requires very little-space and permits to attain a reduction in size of pocket lighters.

According to the invention .themake-and-break' type magnetic ignition system is provided-with anarmature1whichswings away sideways from the yoke member.

and-break type'magneticignition system includes a substantially U-shaped yoke member 1 the legs of which are shunted by an elongated armature 2 having a rectangular cross section.

To armature 2 at one longitudinal edge thereof a torsion bar 3 is attached which is journaled in supports 31 and 32 and couples the armature to an operating'mechanism of the lighter (not shown) which is common to the fuel v'alve (not shown) and to the magnetic ignition system. Armature 2 in virtue of its attachment to torsion bar 3 is rotatable about the axis passing through torsion bar 3,"that is, aboutan axis located parallel withits outer edge.

With reference to FIGS. 3 and 4in which like parts'are identified by the same reference characters,it is seen that the make-and-break magnetic system includes a yoke l and armature 2. A backing member 4 is attachedto the side of yoke l and has a flared-out portion 42 against-which the armature abuts when sideways moved from torsion bar 3.

The torsion bar 3 inthe present embodiment is not fixedly coupled to armature 2, but is journaled on supports 3l' and 32,

and has an end portion 33 which can be formed as a lever or cam and which engages armature 2 and moves it away from yoke '1 and makes it to sit up against the flared out portion 42 which includes an inwardly bent retaining edge. The backing member 4 is slightly curved at 41 which enables the armature 2 to roll away from yoke l.

In both embodiments when armature'2 is swung awayfrom yoke 1 an airgap is'formed between armature 2 and 'yoke l which appropriately affects the previous conditions of the magnetic system.-

While the invention has been explained and described with the aid of particular-"embodiments thereof, it will be understood that the invention is not limited thereby and that many-modifications retaining and utilizing the spirit thereof without departing essentially therefrom .will occur to those skilled in the art in applying the invention to specific operating In one embodiment according to the invention a torsion bar connectsthe armature withtheoperating mechanismand the torsion bar is coupled to thearmature at onesideedge thereof whereby an axis of rotation-is formed about the side edge of the armature.

ln anotherembodiment of the invention the axis of rotation of the armature is placed outside of the armature by providing a backing means on the yoke member against which the armature can be moved sideways or rotated .to abut'against such backing means. The backing-means is preferably made from a nonmagnetic material.

The torsion bar in the latter embodiment is provided with a leverlike or'cam-shaped portion which engages the armatureto move or rotate same against the backing means.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS- The invention will become more readily apparent from the following description of preferred embodiments thereof shown in the accompanying drawing, in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a make-and-break type magnetic system in which the armature is fixedly coupled to a torsion bar;

FIG. 2 illustrates the support of the armature of the magnetic system according to FIG. ljon the torsion bar;

H6. 3 illustrates a magnetic system similar to FIG. 1 in' which a torsion bar is operatively coupled to the armature; and

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary plan view of the yoke, torsion bar, armature and of a backing means of the system of FIG. 3.

environments and conditions. it is therefore contemplated by the appended claims to coverall such modifications as fall within the scope and spirit of the invention; I claim: I 1. In a lighter apparatus operable with a fuel controlled by a fuel valve actuatedby means of an operating mechanism, a.

magnetic circuityfor supplying energizing sparks to said fuel, said magnetic circuit comprising a substantially U-shaped yoke member, an armature member shunting said yoke member and supported in magnetic circuit relationship therewith, a torsionrbar means being in driving connection withsaid armature member and beingin driven connection from said'operating mechanism, said torsion bar means being.

4. The combinationas claimed in claim 1, wherein a gap isformed between said yoke member and said armature member when said armature member is rotated about said axis.

5. In a lighter apparatus operable with a fuel controlled by a 7 fuel valve actuated by means of an operating mechanism, a

magnetic circuit for supplying energizing sparks to said fuel,

said magnetic circuit comprising a substantially U-shaped yoke member, an. armature member shunting said yoke member and supported in magnetic circuit relationship therewith, a torsion bar means connectedjto said operating,

mechanism, backing means attached to said yoke member and having a flared-out portion, said torsion bar means having a portion operable to engage said armature member'at a side portion thereof thereby moving said armature member away from said yokeagainst said flared-out portion of said backing means.

6. The combination as claimed in claim 1, wherein said armature member has an elongated shape.

v 7. The combination as claimed in claim 5, wherein a gap is formed between said yoke member and said armature member 2 'when said armature member is moved away towards said 

1. In a lighter apparatus operable with a fuel controlled by a fuel valve actuated by means of an operating mechanism, a magnetic circuit for supplying energizing sparks to said fuel, said magnetic circuit comprising a substantially U-shaped yoke member, an armature member shunting said yoke member and supported in magnetic circuit relationship therewith, a torsion bar means being in driving connection with said armature member and being in driven connection from said operating mechanism, said torsion bar means being disposed adjacent a side portion of said armature member permitting rotation of said armature member away from said yoke member about an axis passing outside of said armature member, when said common operating mechanism is actuated.
 2. The combInation as claimed in claim 1, wherein said armature member has an elongated shape having an edge portion at a side thereof adjacent said yoke member, said torsion bar being coupled to said edge portion.
 3. The combination as claimed in claim 2, wherein said axis passes through said torsion bar.
 4. The combination as claimed in claim 1, wherein a gap is formed between said yoke member and said armature member when said armature member is rotated about said axis.
 5. In a lighter apparatus operable with a fuel controlled by a fuel valve actuated by means of an operating mechanism, a magnetic circuit for supplying energizing sparks to said fuel, said magnetic circuit comprising a substantially U-shaped yoke member, an armature member shunting said yoke member and supported in magnetic circuit relationship therewith, a torsion bar means connected to said operating mechanism, backing means attached to said yoke member and having a flared-out portion, said torsion bar means having a portion operable to engage said armature member at a side portion thereof thereby moving said armature member away from said yoke against said flared-out portion of said backing means.
 6. The combination as claimed in claim 1, wherein said armature member has an elongated shape.
 7. The combination as claimed in claim 5, wherein a gap is formed between said yoke member and said armature member when said armature member is moved away towards said flared-out portion of said backing means.
 8. The combination as claimed in claim 5, wherein said backing means is made from nonmagnetic material.
 9. The combination as claimed in claim 5, wherein said portion of said torsion bar means is in the form of a lever.
 10. The combination as claimed in claim 5, wherein said portion of said torsion bar means is in the form of a cam means. 